Cyber link makes business more professional

By HEATHER DOUGLAS

Hate it or embrace it, easy access to cost-efficient technology is one of the biggest factors driving the trend towards working from home, so having it on your side gives you a competitive edge.

Here are some aspects you might like to consider in your home office.

Your computer

Technology is making rapid advances, so if you use computers to perform in your business to any reasonable extent, buying the best-performing computer that meets your needs is usually a wise move.

Expect it to last three to five years, so plan for technological advances and upgrade or replace it to keep up with your needs.

Find out how to look after and maintain it (backups, virus protection, defragging, etc.), and stay informed about new hardware, software and other offerings that may be helpful in streamlining the way you go about doing things.

Communications

Computing and telecommunications tools are becoming more and more integrated. Work out whether you need a standalone copier and fax Machine or whether a fax card (which allows you to send and receive faxes on your computer) and scanner might do the trick.

Telecom charges residential rental rates for the first three lines to your home, and with smart technologies that allow for second numbers to "piggy-back" on the first number on a line, there are lots of options which allow you a clever mix accommodating separate home and business numbers, and fax and internet connections.

Other services such as call waiting, automatic diversion to another number or a mobile, fax "traps" (which accept a fax for later delivery if your fax number is busy), freephone numbers and messaging options mean it's easy for a home business to project a professional image and offer clients easy, instant, seamless access to you wherever you are.

The World Wide Web

And - aahhh - the internet! Can you remember what we did without it? No self-respecting business could survive for long these days without access to the vast treasure-trove of information it delivers to the desktop, or the efficiency and immediacy of e-mail.

The web also allows you to project a "big" image and to reach around the globe for comparatively little investment.

Registering a domain name is also a wise move. Then do yourself a favour and make sure your e-mail address is domain-based - such as you@yourcompany.co.nz.

Not only does it project a much more professional image than a Yahoo, Hotmail or even local ISP-based e-mail address, but should you choose to change provider, you can do so without having to tell all your contacts about the change, as it happens "behind the scenes".

* Heather Douglas is co-owner and managing director of Home Business New Zealand, which publishes the HomebizBuzz website.